Ash Regan MSP introduced this Member’s Bill. The Bill creates a new offence of paying for sexual acts. It also repeals the existing offence of soliciting or importuning by prostitutes.
This is a Member's bill
The Bill was introduced on 20 May 2025 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
The Bill creates a new offence of paying for sexual acts.
The Bill also repeals the existing offence under section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 of soliciting and importuning by prostitutes. People who have been convicted of this offence in the past would have their convictions quashed.
Additionally, Scottish Ministers will need to ensure that a person who is, or has been, in prostitution is provided with help and support. That may include accommodation, financial assistance, healthcare or legal advice and representation.
The Member believes that prostitution is exploiting and harming women in Scotland. She has introduced the Bill as she believes it will reduce the amount of prostitution in Scotland.
Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill as introduced (412KB, pdf) posted 20 May 2025
Explanatory Notes (147KB, pdf) posted 21 May 2025
Policy Memorandum (534KB, pdf) posted 21 May 2025
Financial Memorandum (310KB, pdf) posted 21 May 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (137KB, pdf) posted 21 May 2025
Statements on legislative competence (108KB, pdf) posted 21 May 2025
Explanatory Notes (211KB, pdf) posted 20 May 2025
Policy Memorandum (580KB, pdf) posted 20 May 2025
Financial Memorandum (357KB, pdf) posted 20 May 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (213KB, pdf) posted 20 May 2025
Statements on legislative competence (159KB, pdf) posted 20 May 2025
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
Research briefing on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill
The Bill was introduced on 20 May 2025
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Criminal Justice Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
The Committee has agreed the following schedule of work for scrutiny of the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1. It may be subject to change depending on the availability of witnesses and other parliamentary business.
The Committee recognises that there is a great deal of interest in this Bill, with many organisations and individuals keen to give evidence in person. The planned schedule of work seeks to balance the need to hear a range of views on the key provisions of the Bill with a desire by the Committee to ensure that the Bill could proceed through all its stages in the time remaining in this parliamentary session, should the Bill pass at Stage 1. The Committee will also draw upon the written evidence received to inform its scrutiny.
The Committee is determined to hear from current or former prostitutes/sex workers as part of its scrutiny and is considering the best way to facilitate this. This evidence will be in addition to the schedule set out below.
Campaigning bodies and organisations who provide support and advice to current or former prostitutes/sex workers. Groups selected will cover a range of views on the key provisions in the Bill, such as on the creation of a new offence of paying for the performance of a sexual act by a person.
International examples of different approaches taken.
Law enforcement, judicial system and legal bodies.
Scottish Government
Member-in-charge
The Criminal Justice Committee held a call for views to help inform its scrutiny of the Bill. The call for views closed on Friday 5 September 2025.
Read the Official Report of the meeting
Read the Official Report of the meeting
Letter from Ash Regan MSP to the Convener, 9 September 2025
Correspondence from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety, 29 July 2025
Letter from the Minister for Victims and Community Safety to the Convener, 23 June 2025
If a Bill is relevant to more than one committee, 'secondary committees' may consider and report on the general principles of the Bill to the lead committee. Some Bills may also be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee or the Finance and Public Administration Committee.
Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, 1 October 2025